MAGAYON FESTIVAL – a celebration of life and its abundance of blessings
June 23, 2009 by admin
Filed under Bicol Festivals
MAGAYON FESTIVAL
The Festival
In observance of its foundation day and celebrating the legend of Mayon Volcano, the Province of Albay holds Magayon Festival in the whole month of May. The festival is a celebration of life and its abundance of blessings, blending strong Catholic beliefs and aspects of traditional way of living in Albay, giving the feast an identity of its own.
Comprehensive list of events for the month-long festivity are cultural activities, trade fairs, travel and tourism exhibitions, sports competitions, and many other special activities. For the love of the Bicol Region to sumptous cuisine, a regional cooking competition takes place as a key event during 13th-15th of May, dubbed as Siram. The competition focuses on preparation of creative dishes using abundant native products of Bicol such as coconut, pili, and the well-known sili (pepper), which is participated by students, homemakers, and professional chefs, of respective categories.
The festivity also include the 2nd Mayon Marathon, an activity for the youth to participate in the eco-camp at Mayon Volcano National Park, and a hiking activity with the Bicol Federation of Mountaineers aiming to develop environmental consciousness to the young minds. Organizers claim that the marathon is an advocacy of the various local governmnet of Albay.
Myth has it that the Mayon Volcano, known tourist attraction in Bicol since it is shaped almost a perfect cone, rose from the ground of Daragang Magayon who was abducted and killed by a suitor during a rescue.
Mayon Volcano is best viewed from the Cagsawa Ruins Park in the town of Daraga, which was burned in lava during Mayon Volcano eruption in 1814.
Albay on the other hand, is famous for its fine sand beaches, historical churches of Spanish era, ancestral houses, historic sites, bedazzling island, lush dive and snorkelling.
The festival helps boost the tourism promotoion and the development initiatives of the DOT for the province.
Origin
Inspired by the tale of the ill-fated lovers Daragang Magayon, and a warrior named Pangaronon. It is believed that Daragang Magayon’s burial mound of earth has formed to be what is now known as Mayon Volcano.
The volcano has become the most important landmark, and a true natural wonder, it remains one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. Since documented to have erupted in 1616, it had 49 recorded eruptions. The tower of the Cagsawa Church which is now a ruin is a reminder of Mayon Volcano’s destructive eruption in 1814. Record shows the volcano exhibitied activities in 2000 and 2001, its major eruption took place in 1993.
In Succession
The Magayon Festival today has evolved to become a celebration of rich culture and Bicol’s warm hospitality, and an opportunity for the Albayanons to showcase the proud wealth of the region – a trip to the captivating Mayon Volcano, delightful cuisine, the unique products of Bicol, and many more.
A visit to Albay will surely prove a worthwhile time spent as Albay is indeed so much more than it is famed for such a majestic Mayon Volcano.
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